Castle Oaks Sermons

Reading a Psalm is like peeking into someone's private journal as they pour out their various feelings to a trusted friend and revered God. Sometimes the words mirror our own thoughts and emotions in powerful ways. Spend some time with this week's Psalm as we move through the Lenten Season, preparing our hearts for Good Friday and our celebration of the Resurrection on Easter.

Reading a Psalm is like peeking into someone's private journal as they pour out their various feelings to a trusted friend and revered God. Sometimes the words mirror our own thoughts and emotions in powerful ways. Spend some time with this week's Psalm as we move through the Lenten Season, preparing our hearts for Good Friday and our celebration of the Resurrection on Easter.

Who wants to have a great life? That almost seems like a rhetorical question in these tough times. However, in Psalm 1, God tells us there are two roads in life, with two different destinations. He wants us to choose the road to the blessed life in Him – the only way that goes well and ends well.

What are the things that leave you unsettled? What is our response to the things that might be difficult to name but leave our soul disquieted?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lent season.

This service will focus on thoughtful reflection and repentance — a time to allow God’s Spirit to draw us close and consider how we might turn our hearts and minds toward following Jesus every day.

The 40 days of Lent represent Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him. Lent is a time set aside each year for self-denial, marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection.

Paul finishes his letter to the Ephesians with beautiful imagery and advice about how to live and thrive through difficult times.

Who is in charge? Who will make the decisions? The words in Ephesians 5 have been misused in appalling ways. Paul's instructions and advice about family relationships can transform our approach to each other, as long we read them with humility and a selfless mindset.

Paul has some pointed words for us as we make our way through the complexities of life and relationships. Don't move past the details too quickly, and don't miss the bigger picture. His words help us follow Jesus along the narrow road.

Words have immense power. We can use words to help others, or tear them down. Paul frames these choices in powerful ways as he encourages us to be thoughtful in our relationships.

We will pick up the "Packed" series where we left off in November and continue our journey together through the letter to the Ephesians. The final three chapters are packed with essentials for our travels during this challenging season.